San Jose, California—nProtect, Inc., a global leader in Internet security announces the nProtect Research Lab predictions for cyber security threats in 2014. nProtect Research Lab says we can expect to experience similar threat patterns in 2014. However, nProtect Research Labs warns of advanced variants and more incidents of the cyber threats compared to last year. Major security threats in 2013 were as follows; pharming based online fraud incidents by ‘Drive by Download’, Smishing(SMS Phishing) targeted for Android users, Visualization of ‘Advanced Persistent Threat’, and attacks exploiting Zero-day vulnerabilities.

Industrialization of online financial fraud incidents and cybercrimes: Smishing(SMS Phising) became a new threat targeting Android users since 2012. Online banking users were often infected by downloading a malware by ‘Drive-by Downloads’. Once the users are infected, it modifies the host files or memory codes to make fraudulent transactions.In 2014, mobile banking fake apps targeting Android users will be more advanced and widely spread. Financial Institutions and users are recommended to use mobile security for online and mobile banking transactions.

Growing attacks by” Drive-by downloads”: Attackers insert exploit codes by hacking the server of major software providers with automated attack tools using various vulnerabilities; so called ‘Drive-by downloads’ . They often exploit popular software such as Microsoft OS and its application, Flash Player and PDF from Adobe, and JAVA from Oracle in order to attack more genuine users. In 2014, it seems that more various and sophisticated attacking skills will be developed for ‘Drive-by downloads’ as well as Zero-Day attacks. Therefore, users should update security patches on a regular basis in order to protect themselves from the latest threats.

New types on mobile cybercrimes: The number of cybercrimes are continuously increasing during online and mobile payments transactions by attacking Android mobile users with malware spread by Smishing(SMS phishing). Mobile banking fraud, extortion of personal information and hacking aimed at popular gaming apps and mobile messengers, Phishing scams, and intimidating crimes over invasion of privacy will develop into new types of cyber threats resulting in more cybercrimes. Therefore, android mobile users should be cautious when opening URL addresses contained in text messages.

Full-scale cyber terror with smartphones infected by zombie virus: Threats targeting smartphones have caused numerous fraud incidents resulting in financial losses. Smartphones have been exploited by cyber criminals with malicious Android apps to steal text messages and address books, location tracking, remote control, and device destruction. As a result, a number of threatening scenarios can be predicted as follows; concurrently frozen android smartphones, unexpected side effects of the mobile carrier’s base station due to heavy traffic, the emergence of wireless DDos attacks and delivery of a large quantity of text messages with android smart phones causing unexpected billing and traffic offenses.

The growth and complexity of the anomalous adware: Abnormal online marketing activities which distribute malicious adware pretending to be official programs via portal websites and blogs will increase. Users should download programs from official websites and/or trusted providers to protect themselves from malicious adware. Cyber criminals often attack and modify the server of adware in order to insert malware within the adware to steal information.

Intelligent malicious files via update programs: Cyber-criminals are modifying and distributing update modules of official software programs such as P2P services security solution which are more difficult to detect. Therefore, it is important to concern and prepare above various threats to minimize cybercrimes and its losses for 2014.

About nProtect, Inc.

Founded in January 2000, nProtect, also known as INCA Internet, is headquartered in San Jose, California and provides online and mobile banking/payment security to financial institutions. Over 100 million endpoint users from more than 1,000 organizations rely on nProtect’s online security solutions to secure users against malware, phishing, keyloggers, and other web fraud and online threats while meeting compliance requirements such as FFIEC including Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, ING, and HSBC.